Mustangs Men's Lacrosse Players Earn CUFLA Awards

2006-11-26



UWO Captains and CUFLA All-Canadians
Dan Strickland, Andrew Kingston, Mike Carnegie

The Western Mustangs Men's Lacrosse Team earned major Canadian University Field Lacrosse Association awards this past weekend in Toronto. The team would like to congratulate the following CUFLA award winners:

CUFLA Rookie of the Year
Mike Knight, Midfield

CUFLA First Team All-Canadians
Mike Carnegie, Midfield

CUFLA Second Team All-Canadians
Nat Andres, Midfield
Travis Buckley, Goalkeeper
Andrew Kingston, Defence

CUFLA Rookie of the Year
Mike Knight (Oakville, ON)

Midfielder Mike Knight is the first Western Mustang to win this prestigous award. Mike finished the regular season with 8 goals and 10 assists in 9 games. "We had over 20 rookies at training camp this season. Our future looks bright with young talents like Mike leading the way" said head coach Jeremy Tallevi. "Mike is an incredibly gifted lacrosse player, but what really stands out is his desire to compete and win. He will be a leader on this team for years to come."

CUFLA First Team All-Canadians
Mike Carnegie , Midfield (London, ON)

Midfielder Mike Carnegie led the most explosive midfield in the CUFLA with 14 goals and 11 assists for 25 points, tying him for the team lead in scoring with attackman Trevor Colm. But it is Mike's talent in the defensive end that set him apart from the rest of league. "It is only in the past two years that Mike has figured out how to score in this league"  said assistant coach Matt Chambers. "As a rookie, he was one of the leagues best defensive players, and has improved on that part of his game each year as well. He really is an all-star at both ends of the field."

CUFLA Second Team All-Canadians
Nat Andres, Midfield (Whitby, ON)
Midfielder Nat Andres rounded out the best midfield unit in the CUFLA. A first team All-Canadian in 2005, Nat was just as equally effective this season. "Although Nat didn't quite put up the offensive stats this year, I truly believe he is one of the best overall players in the league" said assistant coach Mike Frith. "Nat's our first choice on the faceoff wing, on man-up & man-down, and we want him out there whether we're trying to score, defend or clear. You really can't ask for much more out of a player."

Travis Buckley, Goalkeeper (Burlington, ON)
Goalkeeper Travis Buckley stepped up his game to a new level this season. After backing up three-time All-Canadian Jesse Cracknell, Travis took over the starting role last season. "Although Travis led us to a 7-2 regular season record last season, I believe he was still learning his game" said head coach Jeremy Tallevi. "Travis really came into his own this season and came into camp as a leader right from day one. He improved his confidence, his ball stopping ability, and his defensive communication. He also became an extremely important mentor for our rookie goalkeepers Stephane Ouellette and Mark Nano."

Andrew Kingston, Defence (Burlington, ON)

Defenceman Andrew Kingston joins the long list All-Canadian Longpoles Western has produced over the past decade. Andrew combines speed, strength, and excellent stick skills to shut down opposing offensive players. "Andrew has the ability to shut down any attackman in the league." said head coach Jeremy Tallevi. "If we run into an attackman who uses his speed, Andrew will keep up. If the attackmen try to use their size, Andrew can push them out or will slide for help. And he's constantly stripping the ball and picking off passes. Although we pride ourselves on strong team defence, Andrew is a one-man wrecking crew."